trammel

American  

[tram-uhl] / ˈtræm əl /

noun

1. Usually trammels a hindrance or impediment to free action; restraint.

   the trammels of custom.

   Synonyms:

   inhibition, hobble, curb, drag

2. an instrument for drawing ellipses.

3. Also called tram.  a device used to align or adjust parts of a machine.

4. trammel net.

5. a fowling net.

6. a contrivance hung in a fireplace to support pots or kettles over the fire.

7. a fetter or shackle, especially one used in training a horse to amble.

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verb (used with object)

trammeled, trammeling, trammelled, trammelling

1. to involve or hold in trammels; restrain.

   Synonyms:

   obstruct, impede, hinder, encumber

2. to catch or entangle in or as in a net.

trammel British  

/ ˈtræməl /

noun

1. (often plural) a hindrance to free action or movement

2. Also called: trammel net.  a fishing net in three sections, the two outer nets having a large mesh and the middle one a fine mesh

3. rare a fowling net

4. a fetter or shackle, esp one used in teaching a horse to amble

5. a device for drawing ellipses consisting of a flat sheet of metal, plastic, or wood having a cruciform slot in which run two pegs attached to a beam. The free end of the beam describes an ellipse

6. (sometimes plural) another name for beam compass

7. Also called: tram.  a gauge for setting up machines correctly

8. a device set in a fireplace to support cooking pots

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verb

1. to hinder or restrain

2. to catch or ensnare

3. to produce an accurate setting of (a machine adjustment), as with a trammel

Other Word Forms

• trammeler
  noun
• trammeller
  noun
• untrammeled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of trammel

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English tramayle, from Middle French tramail, variant of tremail “three-mesh net,” from Late Latin trēmaculum, equivalent to Latin trē(s) “three” + macula “mesh”; see also three

Explanation

To trammel is to hamper or hinder — in other words, to keep someone from doing something. People in your neighborhood might lobby for speed bumps in order to trammel speeding cars. When you use trammel as a verb, you're either talking about limiting or catching, like when a fisherman trammels cod in a net. As a noun, a trammel is some kind of restraint. There's the trammel that's used by horse trainers to restrain a horse and slow its gait, and the trammel that's basically a fishing net. The latter is the original meaning of trammel, from the Latin roots tri-, "three," and macula, "mesh."

Example Sentences

In the emotional chat with director Kelli Finglass and choreographer Judy Trammel, Ari was told she was being dropped because there were only 36 spaces, without much further explanation.

From BBC • Jul. 13, 2024

The Mariners’ lone run came off a solo home run by Taylor Trammel in the eighth.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2022

What trade value do guys like Trammel, Torrens, and Fraley have?

From Seattle Times • Jan. 22, 2022

“We’re disappointed for the boy and his family,” said Fletcher Trammel.

From Reuters • Oct. 5, 2021

Trammel for Making an Ellipse.—This is a tool easily made, which will be of great service in the shop.

From Practical Mechanics for Boys by Zerbe, James Slough